Steven Patrick Garvey (born December 22, 1948), nicknamed "Mr. Clean" because of the squeaky clean image he held throughout his career in baseball, is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current Southern California businessman. Garvey was the 1974 NL MVP, 10-time All-Star, and holds the National League record for consecutive games played (1,207).

Playing career

Born in Tampa, FL to parents who had recently relocated from Long Island, New York,WFAN radio interview Steve Garvey on Mike and the Mad Dog, April 18, 2008 from 1956 to 1961, Garvey was a bat boy for the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers. Garvey played football and baseball at Michigan State University after graduating from Chamberlain High School. Garvey played his entire career in the National League West for two teams; the Los Angeles Dodgers (1969–82) and the San Diego Padres (1983–87). He batted right and threw right. In a 19-year career, Garvey was a .294 hitter with 272 home runs and 1308 RBI in 2332 games played.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Garvey was part of the most enduring infield in baseball along with third baseman Ron Cey, shortstop Bill Russell and second baseman Davey Lopes. The four infielders stayed together as the Dodgers' starters for eight and a half years.

Garvey is one of only two players to have started an All-Star Game as a write-in vote He won the NL MVP award, and had the first of six 200-hit seasons. Only 15 players in all of Major League Baseball history have had six or more 200 hit seasons (as of the end of 2010).

Garvey set a National League record with 1207 consecutive games played, from September 3, 1975, to July 29, 1983. The streak ended when he broke his thumb in a collision at home plate against the Atlanta Braves.

In the 1978 National League Championship Series, Garvey hit four home runs, and added a double for five extra base hits, both marks tying Bob Robertson's 1971 NLCS record; Jeffrey Leonard would tie the NLCS home run record in the 1987 National League Championship Series.

At a point in his career when it looked like he would one day rank among the game's all-time greats, Lawrence Ritter and Donald Honig included him in their book The 100 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time.

San Diego Padres

On his first trip to Los Angeles as a Padre, he took out a full-page newspaper ad in the Los Angeles Times thanking fans for their past support.

On October 6, 1984, during Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, Garvey hit a two-run walk-off home run off Lee Smith in the 9th inning to give the Padres a 7 to 5 victory over the Chicago Cubs. The next day, the Padres won the National League pennant for the first time in franchise history. Garvey wound up being named the 1984 NLCS' Most Valuable Player.

Garvey's jersey #6, worn when he was both a Padre and Dodger is retired by the Padres. His number 6 was displayed at the site of his 1984 NLCS home run in right field at Qualcomm Stadium.

Post-baseball career

Garvey, a Republican who harbored political ambitions after baseball, earned the nickname "Senator" from teammates. Those aspirations diminished after the public learned embarrassing details of his personal life.

Also, starting in the mid 1980s he began the Steve Garvey celebrity Blue Marlin tournament, as well as the Steve Garvey celebrity skiing challenge. These were featured on episodes of the ESPN Classic show Cheap Seats during its four season run.

Since 1988 he has been running Garvey Communications mainly involved in television production including infomercials. He is also the host of Baseball's Greatest Games. In addition he is hired out to do motivational speaking, mainly for corporations.

Currently, Garvey works as a greeter for VIP season ticket holders and as a consultant for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He currently resides in Los Angeles and Palm Desert, California.

Garvey currently serves as a member of the board of the Baseball Assistance Team, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping former Major League, Minor League, and Negro League players through financial and medical hardships.

He is a member of the Irish American Hall of Fame.

Personal

Garvey has been married twice. He was married to Cyndy Garvey from 1971 to 1983. He married Candace Thomas in 1989. He also has a school named for him, Steve Garvey Junior High School, in Lindsay, California. Steve Garvey - Brooks International Speakers & Entertainment Bureau

In 1989, Cyndy Garvey published a tell-all book in which she revealed the details of her marriage with Steve. This included details regarding his sexual affairs. Coincidentally, two paternity suits were filed against Steve at the time, and he admitted to fathering children by two women. Virginian Pilot Garvey made a number of television appearances from 1977 through 2006. TV.com - Steve Gavey television credits Steve Gavey Biography